The Isle of Wight Council is calling for public feedback on a new strategy aimed at securing developer contributions for health facility enhancements. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), focuses on gathering financial support from new developments for the improvement of health infrastructure on the island, excluding dental services.

The proposed Health Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is designed to guide the ICB in determining necessary health infrastructure improvements across various island locations. The emphasis of this strategy is on the physical aspects of health facilities, such as the construction of new buildings or the expansion of existing ones, rather than on service-level enhancements like the hiring of additional medical personnel.

Key factors outlined in the draft SPD for determining developer contributions include the current capacity of health facilities, patient list sizes, standards for new health facility dimensions, and the overall costs associated with constructing new health premises. The document also details the methodology for calculating the financial contributions developers might be required to make, as well as specifying the thresholds for developments that would trigger these contributions.

Councillor Paul Fuller, responsible for planning, waste, and flooding, highlighted the community’s concerns regarding the inadequacy of medical facilities to support new development. Fuller expressed his anticipation for public engagement with the consultation process, aiming to refine and finalize the SPD for future planning decisions by May.

The public consultation period is open until Tuesday, 2 April 2024. Interested parties can find more information and submit their comments through the Isle of Wight Council’s website, via email to [email protected], or by post. The draft SPD is also available for viewing at the Seaclose offices and County Hall reception areas, inviting a broad spectrum of community input on this critical issue.